This was truly a miracle from Hashem. Tefillin connected them all that day. Two Jewish souls, from two different states, from two different worlds. A simple act of kindness from my brother-in-law, and the rabbi and a Jew who kept an open mind and heart. Hashem says to us, “You start the job, follow my commandments and leave it up to me.” Don’t wait when challenges hit us hard and start to connect. Connect when things are good like my brother-in-law’s friend. He could have easily said no, thank you, This is not for me, my life is good. He understood that the act of tefillin gave him hope and strengthened his soul everyday and when things became rough, he used it to communicate to Hashem and Hashem in turn saved him and changed the course of his life. Nothing is a coincidence. We have to inspire our families, our friends, our neighbors, our communities through the words of Torah. It never fails us.
I dedicate this story to my brother and sister-in-law and their children. May they continue to help others through Hashem’s mitzvot.